Thursday, October 30, 2014

THE COMBAT AIRLIFTER CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT will take ads
by phone from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 982-9421, or you may mail
your ad to 404 Graham Rd., Jacksonville, Ark. 72078. You may also e-mail them
to combatairlifterclassifieds@arkansasleader.com Deadline to advertise in
Friday's issue is 5 p.m. Tuesday.

DO YOU LOVE ANIMALS? TRAIN TO BEa Veterinary Technician,800.383-4959, www.ChangeLives.com.
Heritage College, 1309 Old Forge Dr. LR,Heritage has applied for accreditation by the AVMA-Committee on
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visit www.heritage-education.com/disclosures.**

Tech. Sgt. Jason Caswell, a 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, loves spending time with his wife and kids as well as playing rugby.

At age 28, Caswell was an athlete who was well on his way to becoming an Air Force rugby player. From there, his dream was to take the next step of joining the USA rugby team.

During his third season of playing, however, his dream came to a bone-shattering halt.

While stationed in England, Caswell was playing rugby when he wasn’t on the flightline working as a crew chief.

While playing in a match, Caswell was tackled to the ground. According to Caswell, the opposing player intentionally tried injuring him by sliding into his leg.

“After I was tackled, I kept trying to get up and run but I kept falling over,” said Caswell. “I could not figure out why I couldn’t stand up.”

Caswell was suffering from a compound fracture. Every time he tried to get up, his tibia, which was protruding out of his right leg, was digging into the ground. He needed medical attention immediately.

While paramedics debated over whether to transport him to the base or the local hospital, Caswell was slowly bleeding out. His teammates, who were by his side, did not realize they were kneeling in a six-foot-wide pool of blood. After more than an hour of lying on the rugby pitch, Caswell was taken to the base hospital in an ambulance. During the ride he flat-lined twice.

Since the disastrous event, Caswell has gone through eight surgeries to repair his leg. After most of the surgeries, Caswell was back to work in less than a month, sometimes as soon as two weeks. Over the course of four years, Caswell and his family moved from place to place and hospital to hospital, continuing the procedures and enduring the disappointment and lack of progress of each one. The Caswell family was mentally and physically exhausted and Jason was still in pain.

When Caswell came to Little Rock Air Force Base, he decided it was time for a new approach. He met with his new doctor and in Sept. 2014, the Caswell family had made a very important and life changing decision. It was time to remove his leg.

Caswell was tired of feeling like a burden to his family. Every step he took, sharp, stunning pain shot up his leg.

“After four years of doing this, four years of difficulty, pain and surgeries I asked myself, ‘am I letting everyone down?,’” said Caswell hesitantly. “These doctors, nurses and therapists have worked so hard trying to fix my leg and now I am just going to cut it off.”

Caswell’s wife, Tami, reassured him that he was doing the right thing.

“I told him, ‘you fought as hard as you could, your body has made this decision, not you,’” she said. “Your leg has said ‘enough’.”

Oct. 17, 2014, Caswell was prepared for his ninth, and hopefully last surgery.

“Nobody ever wants to lose a leg, but after four years of pain, four years I will never get back with my kids, I know it’s time,” he said. “You don’t get back time, so why wait? Why give up extra time trying to fix something that is not fixable? I am ready for a better quality of life.”

Tami gave her husband a kiss and told him she would see him in a bit, a tradition that they have carried alongside all the surgeries they had been through together. As Caswell rolled toward the operating room, he had a big smile on his face knowing he was making the right decision for his family and himself.

Two days after the amputation, Caswell was already playing and racing the kids in the living room using his walker. His daughter Raevyn, and son, Charlie, are looking forward to going hunting with their dad and being able to play with him again.

“It’s a relief,” said Caswell, joyfully, as he moved his bandaged leg around. “The other night I was doing pushups and back leg lifts. I was having fun because I can do this stuff now and it doesn’t hurt. The doctor took a 16-pound burden off of me.”

Caswell is thankful for all the support he received from his wife and children, but also the support he received from the Air Force Wounded Warrior adaptive sports program.

“I participated in the Warrior Games and that’s when I met a lot of guys who were going, or had gone through some rough times,” said Caswell. “That’s when I realized I was not alone. I knew I could get through this. The adaptive sports program taught me that your life is not over, you just have to adapt and overcome.”

Looking into the future, the Caswell family is ready to start a new chapter in their lives and make new memories. While the surgery was successful, the family still has a long road ahead of them. Caswell has hopes of being fitted with a prosthetic leg by the end of November, and will undergo therapy until he is able to walk with his new leg.

“I can’t tell you what I’m going to be doing in the future because everything is open now,” said Caswell. “I would love to go back to being a crew chief again and do my job. The sky is the limit.”

The 19th Airlift Wing has been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious service from Aug. 1, 2012 – July 31, 2014.

The 19th AW and all supporting groups and squadrons contributed to the success of the award by demonstrating their ability to optimally perform peacetime and wartime missions. The 19th AW is the world’s largest C-130 wing and base in the Department of Defense and is comprised of four groups, 21 squadrons and 17 staff agencies.

From supporting the combat airlift mission around the world, disaster relief efforts, unit effectiveness inspections and presidential visits and air shows the 19th AW truly displays excellence in all they do and contributes significantly to the Department of Defense’s and the Air Force’s overall mission readiness.

“I am extremely proud of you, your hard work and all of the amazing things you accomplish every day,” said Col. Patrick Rhatigan, 19th Airlift Wing commander. “I’m thrilled that many outside of our organization have noticed your extraordinary efforts as well.”

Recently, a “Sex Signals” unique presentation recently took place at Little Rock Air Force Base. It taught Airmen about sexual assault prevention using non-traditional methods, and the program definitely garnered attention from the audience.

“Sex Signals” is a live show that addresses serious issues like sexual assault, while emphasizing light-hearted dating and relationship woes.

The R-rated presentation included role play with professional actors. The actors brought realistic circumstances to life using various scenarios that applied to married, single, committed and abstinent audience members.

“I’ve never seen a presentation like it,” said audience member Senior Airman Brittany Chismar, a 61st Airlift Squadron loadmaster. “It had funny parts and really connected with Airmen by taking a real apporach to sexual assault and being relevant to our generation.”

Currently, the evolving skit has approximately 24 actors that travel in pairs around the world to military installations, colleges and universities. Since its inception in 2001, 1.2 million people have seen the presentation.

Actors Kristen Pickering and Derante Parker performed three shows for more than 700 Little Rock Airmen.

“We aim to address serious issues in a relevant way that Airmen will understand,” said Parker.

During the performance, the pair addressed dating cues, miscommunication and challenged the stigma of not adhering to social gender roles.

The performers garnered the attention of Airmen through encouraging participa-tion and questions. Bystander intervention and definitions of sexual assault were two of the main talking points.

“When it comes to sex without consent, there should never be any confusion,” said Pickering. “There is no gray area, it is wrong and should never happen.”

For more information on sexual assault awareness contact the SARC office at 501-987-2685. To report a sexual assault call 501-987-7272.

Friday, October 24, 2014

THE COMBAT AIRLIFTER CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT will take ads
by phone from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 982-9421, or you may mail
your ad to 404 Graham Rd., Jacksonville, Ark. 72078. You may also e-mail them
to combatairlifterclassifieds@arkansasleader.com Deadline to advertise in
Friday's issue is 5 p.m. Tuesday.

DO YOU LOVE ANIMALS? TRAIN TO BEa Veterinary Technician,800.383-4959, www.ChangeLives.com.
Heritage College, 1309 Old Forge Dr. LR,Heritage has applied for accreditation by the AVMA-Committee on
Veterinary Tech Education and Activities. For important program info: please
visit www.heritage-education.com/disclosures.**

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DO YOU LOVE ANIMALS? TRAIN TO BEa Veterinary Technician,800.383-4959, www.ChangeLives.com.
Heritage College, 1309 Old Forge Dr. LR,Heritage has applied for accreditation by the AVMA-Committee on
Veterinary Tech Education and Activities. For important program info: please
visit www.heritage-education.com/disclosures.**

Fifty-two years ago this week, the men and women stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base played a role in one of the most pivotal events of the Cold War: The Cuban Missile Crisis. Never before, or since, has the world come so close to global nuclear war.

In October 1962, Little Rock AFB was a major Strategic Air Command bomber base hosted by the 384th Bombardment Wing and its three squadrons, the 544th, 545th, and 546th Bombardment Squadrons. The 70th Air Refueling Squadron and its Boeing KC-97G Stratofreighter tankers supported the SAC bomber mission and their B-47s. A handful of Fairchild C-123 Provider aircraft assigned to SAC also supported the bombers and tankers.

The 308th Strategic Missile Wing and its 18 Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile launch control facilities were under construction north of the base, but not yet operational. The entire force at Little Rock AFB was under the control of SAC’s intermediate headquarters, the 825th Strategic Aerospace Division, at Little Rock AFB, which reported to SAC headquarters, Second Air Force, Barksdale AFB, Lousiana.

During the crisis, several hundred members of the air police, now known as Security Forces, armed themselves with light infantry weapons and defended Little Rock AFB.

While the air police were responsible for holding the down the home front, each of Little Rock Air Force Base’s squadrons played an important role in supporting President John F. Kennedy’s strategy against the Soviet Union and their Cuban allies.

The 384th BW and the 70th ARS were immediately placed on a higher state of alert in response to the discovery of Soviet offensive missiles and bombers in Cuba. During the October-November period, the base’s aircraft maintenance complex experienced its largest workload to date, with organizational maintenance squadrons working 24 hours a day to generate every available B-47 and KC-97 aircraft.

On Oct. 22, 1962, the Joint Chiefs of Staff raised the nuclear war readiness level of the 384th BW and its supporting KC-97 tankers to Defense Condition 3, one level above the normal SAC readiness posture. On Oct 24, as the Cuban Missile Crisis escalated, SAC forces were ordered to DEFCON 2. During DEFCON 2, all available B-47s went to alert status, loaded with weapons, and were made ready for immediate launch against targets in the Soviet Union. Eleven B-47s from the wing were dispersed to municipal airports throughout the United States to enhance their survivability and complicate Soviet targeting. Likewise, the 70th ARS generated every available KC-97 tanker to support the B-47 force if launched against their Soviet targets. All SAC bomber and tanker combat crews remained close to their aircraft at the SAC alert facility on the flight line, ready to scramble to their bombers and tankers to retaliate in the event a Soviet missile launched against the U.S. mainland from Cuba. Starting Nov. 2, 1962, the 70th ARS also supported Operation COMMON CAUSE, the refueling support of U.S. reconnaissance aircraft conducting aerial surveillance over the Communist country by contributing six tanker crews flying KC-97s from the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Forbes AFB, Kansas. Little Rock AFB’s SAC combat crews remained in DEFCON 2 until Nov. 21, 1962, a period of over three weeks.

For several days, despite overwhelming photographic evidence, the Soviets denied the presence of their offensive missiles in Cuba. On Oct. 25, the U.S. requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, and the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Adlai E. Stevenson, directly confronted the Soviet U.N. ambassador over the presence of the missiles. In the Caribbean Sea, U.S. warships intercepted Soviet ships bound for Cuba and checked for additional shipments of offensive missiles and bombers. U.S. Navy blockade ships narrowly averted a nuclear exchange when they intercepted a Soviet diesel-powered submarine, B-59, which was armed with a nuclear-tipped torpedo.

Tensions increased further on Oct. 27, when a local Soviet commander in Cuba ordered an SA-2 SAM battery to shoot down a U-2 reconnaissance plane. Throughout the long weeks of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Kennedy administration and Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev secretly pursued a diplomatic solution via letters and radio broadcasts to avoid an imminent nuclear war.

On Oct. 26, Khrushchev proposed removing Soviet missiles from Cuba. In exchange, the U.S. promised not to invade the island and to remove its intermediate-range Jupiter missiles from Turkey. Finally, in Nov., the two parties reached an agreement, ending the Cuban Missile Crisis and pulling the world back from the brink of nuclear war. In addition to the stipulations, the Hotline Agreement, which established a Moscow-Washington hotline to allow U.S. and Soviet leaders to confer directly in any future crisis, was established.

The base’s Heritage Park has preserved a Boeing B-47 Stratojet similar to those operated by the 384th BW during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Also preserved is a Fairchild C-123 Provider, similar to those that supported the B-47s and its personnel. Building 160, the former semi-hardened SAC alert facility, is the home of the 34th Combat Training Squadron, but is not open for tours. The adjacent SAC alert aircraft “Christmas Tree,” haunted by the ghosts of Cold War B-47 Stratojets, KC-97 Stratofreighters, KC-135 Stratotankers and B-58 Hustlers, is routinely used as the staging location for Team Little Rock Airmen participating in the joint exercise Green Flag.

The nearby Jacksonville Museum of Military History has preserved several artifacts relating to the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cold War. Their hour are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Finding activities to occupy your child in between the end of the school day and the time you get home from work can be overwhelming. While one child might think video games will suffice to occupy their time, the Little Rock Air Force Base Youth Center offers hands-on and interactive activities and programs to keep youngsters busy.

The center offers two separate programs for base youth: The Before and After Care Program and the Open Recreation Program. The Before and After Program hours are from 6:30 – 7:20 a.m. and from 1 – 6 p.m. The open recreation program is from 3 – 6 p.m Monday through Friday and is for children ages 9 and up.

The center’s $35 membership fee covers an open recreation participant for a year. During this time, members have full access to video games, pool, foosball, basketball, arts and crafts and books.

The Teen Center is open Saturdays from 5 – 10 p.m. Teens may bring a guest along for 2 dollars per visit.

On Thursday nights, the Iron Skillet, which is affiliated with the 4-H Club, is an opportunity for children to learn about healthy eating and cooking.

The Torch Club, a Boys and Girls Club program, meets on every Tuesday. In this program, members learn the election process and how to work together to implement activities in four areas: service to club and community; education; health and fitness; and social recreation.

The youth center also offers volunteer opportunities. Last summer, kids volunteered to cook meals for a homeless shelter in Little Rock. They produced more than 450 meals, which trumped their goal of 150.

“I feel that opportunities like this teach the children that people need our help,” said Jackie Russell, the 19th Force Support Squadron Youth Center school age coordinator. “This opportunity teaches them responsibility.”

The Youth Center hosts guest visitors such as the American Red Cross. Future guest speakers include members from Arkansas Engineering for Kids who will teach the children about engineering video games.

“The difference in kids going home alone after school and coming here is that we can provide safety and supervision and higher-learning activities,” said Russell. “For instance, when they participate in an art class, it is more than just finger painting: We teach them about the history of an artist.”

The staff takes pride in looking after the next generation.

“I believe that when you are working with children you are working with the most precious resource, they are our future,” said James Ussery, the youth and teens program director.

To contact the Youth Center for additional information call 501-987-6355.

The Department of Defense as well as the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office have developed a strategy for promoting a safe and comfortable work environment for all Airmen. By creating the program, it raises awareness of different avenues of education and training and builds a strong support group.

“All of these programs are great,” said Linda Benjamin, 19th Airlift Wing sexual assault victim’s advocate. “Reports are up from last year, which is a good thing. It means people are comfortable informing their leadership and confident that they will be taken care of.”

The efforts of education and training are designed to improve knowledge and influence attitudes and behaviors of a small population of sexual predators, to decrease the amount of sexual assaults in the United States Air Force as well as in the rest of the branches of service. The Air Force has implemented several courses and down days across the service dedicated to ensuring the dignity and respect of all Airmen.

Real Talk classes are available to Airmen and run through topics such as bystander intervention, victim empathy, consent, acceptable behavior and healthy relationships. These classes are available via leadership pathway and can also be set up for your entire squadron.

These lessons are in place to reinforce key messages and provide opportunities to practice the skills that are learned in each course. The courses are taught by peer educators who introduce real-life scenarios to help facilitate group discussions and minimize lectures; however, it is up to the base leadership to customize culture-specific content to their participant’s levels and base needs.

“Our base leadership has done a wonderful job of being innovative and working through these programs to target different audiences instead of just having a commander’s call and talking at people, instead of with them,” said Benjamin.

The training core competencies were developed by DoD SAPR office and the military services to assure consistency as well as effectiveness at all command levels.

The entirety of the DoD community will underscore the commitment and resolve to preventing sexual assaults.

“Sexual assault has no place in our Air Force. We live in a culture of respect. We cherish our core values of integrity, service and excellence. But in order to ensure all Airmen experience and benefit from those values, we must eliminate sexual assault in our ranks,” said Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, USAF Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

For more information on the Air Force SAPR program, visit www.sapr.mil, or contact the Little Rock AFB SAPR office at 501-987- 2685. Team Little Rock’s sexual assault hotline is 501-987-7272.

Ever since he was a young boy Maj. Brent Reiss knew he wanted to be a pilot.

“I remember going to the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, and watching planes on the runway with my father,” Reiss said. “Though my dad was a doctor, I knew I had a passion for planes.”

Reiss’ dream came true in 2000 when he commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps and was selected for pilot training.

Eventually Reiss was stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base with the 50th Airlift Squadron. Reiss is now a 61st AS C-130J aircraft commander and the current 19th Airlift Wing Inspector General director of complaints resolution.

After being active-duty for seven years and reaching the rank of captain, Reiss married his wife, who was in the Arkansas Air National Guard. For Reiss and his new family, everything was going well.

“While assigned to the 50th AS, I went on four deployments to various operations in the Middle East.”

In April 2006, however, his career and life took an unexpected turn.

“I loved my career and flying, and I had no idea that it would all be taken from me,” added Reiss. “Almost out of the blue, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called ulcerative colitis. I was told that the disease was not controllable through medical therapy.”

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and sores in the digestive tract.

Along with facing a health crisis, Reiss’ career was put in jeopardy.

“I was told that I could no longer fly and then put on the temporary disability retirement list,” said Reiss.

In February of 2007, Reiss was given his 30-day notice.

“It was a huge blow,” said Reiss. “I wasn’t done serving. I raised my right hand for a reason, and I didn’t feel that I had fully served my nation.”

Though being forced to leave the Air Force was a huge challenge for Reiss, it was just the beginning of many trials to come.

For the next five years, Reiss battled with his condition while simultaneously trying to support his family.

“First, I worked for an airline company, but was unable to continue the job due to my health,” said Reiss. “So then I worked two jobs, one as a bartender and the other at a jewelry store.”

During that time, Reiss also had several surgeries in order to cope with his medical condition.

“After my last surgery in April 2009, my health improved, and I was able to return to the job I had with the airline company,” Reiss added.

Although Reiss’ health was improving, finding a stable job which he enjoyed and that provided for his family was difficult.

“I left my job with the airline company and then became a contract flight simulator instructor at Columbus Air Force Base, in Mississippi,” said Reiss.

However, the job as an instructor was eventually cut, due in part to military budget changes. Reiss then headed to work at the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, performing background checks. It was his fifth job after his departure from active duty.

During the time Reiss was working, he also faced yearly Air Force informal physical evaluation boards.

Each year he was evaluated, Reiss was told he was not fit to return to active duty. But in 2010, Reiss knew he was ready and healthy enough to put the uniform back on.

“After due diligence and determination, I appealed the board’s decision for the first time,” said Reiss.

In August of 2010, he got the call letting him know that he was fit to fight.

After almost two years of waiting, Reiss put his uniform back on and headed back to The Rock. He first worked a short stint with the 34th Combat Training Squadron and was then assigned to the 61st AS.

“The first hurdle was being cleared to get back into the Air Force,” said Reiss. “But being cleared to fly was another challenge in and of itself. It took time and determination.”

In September of 2013, Reiss was finally able get back into the cockpit of a C-130J.

“It was a great feeling of nostalgia,” said Reiss. “It was like riding a bike.”

Reiss is now flying regularly.

“I’m humbled,” said Reiss. “Less than one percent of people return to active duty from the Air Force’s temporary disability retirement list.”

Not only is Reiss proud to be an Airman again, he is honored to be a part of the mission at Little Rock AFB as well.

“Combat Airlift has been the backbone to U.S. missions for years,” said Reiss. “I have a desire to continue contributing to the mission and legacy here.”

Along with supporting the base’s mission, Reiss is also the proud father of two daughters.

“I am so thankful for my family,” he said. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my wife and daughters.”

As he looks back, Reiss realized how much he learned through his experience.

“I learned that the answer is always ‘no…’ unless you ask,” said Reiss. “Along with the support from my family, I am back in the Air Force because of asking questions, staying informed and using my resources.”

He even offers advice to others who may find themselves in a similar situation.

“If you work hard, something will come out of it,” Reiss said. “You must use your network of friends, supervisors or coworkers for assistance.”

Reiss is slated to deploy early next year. He says he is more determined and prepared than ever.

Friday, October 17, 2014

“We truly stand on the shoulders of giants,” said Col. Patrick Rhatigan, 19th Airlift Wing commander, during his speech at the Air Force Memorial on Oct. 8, 2014, in Arlington, Va.

The 19th AW was presented the James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle Award by the Air Force Historical Foundation for significant contributions to airpower history.

It was a beautiful Air Force day at the memorial with blue skies and a cool October breeze. Retired Maj. Gen. Dale Meyerrose, AFHF president, served as emcee for the ceremony and welcomed a myriad of distinguished visitors from retired general officers to community leaders to members of the Doolittle family.

Retired Col. John P. Doolittle and Jonna Doolittle-Hoppes, son and granddaughter of Gen. Doolittle, sat in the front of the ceremony, making the historical day surreal for those in attendance. Doolittle-Hoppes gave brief remarks about her grandfather and the award’s significance.

Doolittle-Hoppes noted one unique trait of the Doolittle Award is that it’s given to a unit rather than an individual. She said her grandfather always said he could never have achieved what he did without the people around him. Closing her remarks, she took part in the Air Force’s long-standing coining tradition, extending a coin to Rhatigan on behalf of the Doolittle Foundation.

Meyerrose then welcomed Rhatigan to the center of the memorial to accept the award on behalf of the wing. Named after aviation pioneer James H. Doolittle, this award was established to recognize a unit that has displayed bravery, determination, discipline, “esprit de corps” and superior management of joint operations in multiple conflicts.

“To be recognized with an award named after one of the most innovative and courageous Airmen in the history of flight is truly an honor,” said Rhatigan. “The story of the 19th is not about the aircraft or the missions they’ve accomplished. The story of the 19th is a story about Airmen. Airmen who are the foundation of our success, then and now. And I am proud to share some of these Airmen’s stories with you today.”

Keeping true to Team Little Rock history of community support, the commander was also joined by Jacksonville’s Mayor Gary Fletcher, Arkansas State Senators Eddie Joe Williams and Jane English, President and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce Mr. Jay Chesshir and Mr. Frank Thomas. Previous 19th AW Commander, Brig. Gen. Greg Otey and his wife Lisa were also in attendance.

Rhatigan shared the significant achievement of each Airman to the wing as well as several other individual stories from the 19th AW’s history.

“Whether we ride into combat in the Air Force’s newest C-130 or take on any other future mission, the Airmen of the 19th will do whatever it takes to answer our Nation’s call,” he said.

The ceremony only kickstarted the day for the AFHF and its guests. The celebrations continued into the evening with a banquet to honor several individuals and present their awards. The General Carl A. “Tooey” Spaatz Award was presented to retired Gen. Lloyd W. Newton. The Major General I. B. Holley Award was presented to retired Col. Walter J. Boyne.

It was a whirlwind of a day for the Airmen filled with encounters from every corner of airpower and aviation history.

“Overall this experience gave me a good sense that what we do makes a difference in the mission,” said Russell. “I’ve already shared the experience with everyone at my office. They were very interested, and it helped them reconnect with the awesome history of the Air Force, especially at the 19th.”

Russell and her fellow Airmen were able to meet and speak with the Doolittle family and four original Tuskegee Airmen among the group of dignitaries at the ceremony and evening banquet. She said it was incredible to meet the history of the Air Force face-to-face.

“As a senior airman, it was neat to be able to interact with so many higher ranking officers,” said Russell. “Plus, they were looking to us for inspiration. To see the top ranking looking down at us for inspiration was something special.”

The 19th AW roots extend back before World War II, when it was one of the original 15 groups that made up U.S. Army Air Corps aviation. Formerly the 19th Bombardment Group, the unit launched the first offensive attack against Japanese forces in World War II despite having suffered heavy losses in the fighting following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In its 82 years of service, the 19th AW has fulfilled nearly every flying role in the Air Force, from seaplanes and biplane bombers to the advanced C-130J transport. In World War II, Korea, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf and the Global War on Terror, the 19th AW has flown, fought and won with the motto: “In Alis Vincimus”—On wings we conquer!

At the stroke of 8 p.m., a wistful tune resonates across Little Rock Air Force Base. The tune is known as “Taps” and is played in the evening hours at military installations to remember those who have fallen while serving our country.

Although many consider the bugle call to be melancholy, its origins were quite different.

According to Jari A. Villanueva, former U.S. Air Force Band non-commissioned officer in charge and expert on military bugle calls, “Taps” was rewritten from a bugle call that signaled to soldiers that the day was over. Upon hearing the call, soldiers would return to their stations.

“Tactics” by Silas Casey was the bugle call used for the announcement to extinguish lights before the Civil War. However, Union Gen. Daniel Adams Butterfield, a commander during the Civil War, felt the bugle call was too formal.

Gen. Butterfield and Oliver Willcox Norton, the brigade bugler, collaborated to create a new version to announce extinguish lights by lengthening and shortening notes. The new tune was then used to announce extinguish the lights.

Since the Civil War, the version made by Butterfield and Norton has been made into an official bugle call and is now known as the modern version of “Taps.”

The Civil War era was also the time period in which Taps became associated with funerals.

According to an article written by Villanueva, troops would traditionally fire three cannons during military funerals. Capt. John C. Tidball allegedly ordered the bugle call to be played as a substitute for the cannon fire at a funeral for a soldier killed in action during the Civil War’s Peninsula Campaign in 1862. Tidball feared that performing common funeral protocol would alert the enemy of their position and induce fighting.

Since then, Taps has been played to honor fallen service members and is performed by the local honor guard unit with extreme discipline.

“Our ceremonial guardsmen train every day, performing the same movements hundreds of times a day,” said Staff Sgt. Aaron Arazia, Little Rock AFB Honor Guard noncommissioned officer in charge. “Perfection is the standard and nothing less is acceptable for our fallen brothers and sisters.”

Although the meaning of Taps has been adjusted over the years, the bugle call’s historic tone will continue to reverberate over U.S. military installations in the evening hours.